Catherine O'Neal

Catherine Helen (Booth) O’Neal, 91, was born March 27th, 1925, and passed away on December 4, 2016, at the WMHS Hospital with her Family by her side.

Catherine was Methodist by Faith and attended several area Methodist Churches prior to her becoming a Dementia Patient in the Frostburg WMHS Nursing and Rehab Center. While there she attended Multi-Denominational Services.  She was one of 8 Daughters and 9 Sons born to Agnes (Spiker) Booth and Walter Booth. In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her Husband of 41 years, Marshall O’Neal whom she married in 1943 just before he was shipped to the European Theatre of World War II. She was also preceded in death by 8 Sisters and 7 Brothers.

She is survived by her son, Marshall C, (Mick) O’Neal who was born in 1949 after her Husband returned from War on the Queen Mary and Daughter-In-Law Sharon A. O’Neal. Catherine is also survived by her three Grand Daughters whom she cherished: Dawn Michelle O’Neal of Frostburg, Jaime Lynn (O’Neal) Light of Frostburg and Kristi Lee (O’Neal) Kauffman of Pittsburgh, Pa and their mother Joan Campbell who treated Catherine like “Gold”.  She is survived by two Grand Son-In-Laws, Douglas Kauffman of Pittsburgh and Joseph Light of Frostburg.  Catherine is survived by one Great Grand Daughter, Alexis Jade Kremer of Frostburg. Catherine loved her Lexi to the “Moon and Back”. Catherine is also survived by two Brothers, Donnie Booth of Barrelville and Jackie Booth of Piney Mountain Road. She was so very proud of her Grand Daughters and their many accomplishments.

Catherine was a Sweet, Kind, Caring, Happy, and Generous Woman. She was always collecting Clothes and Food for needy people, even though she was relatively poor herself. She helped many people financially as well. Catherine had a rough early life as her Dad broke his back working in the Coal Mine and their House burned down causing the family to fix-up and move into the Barn. She excelled in Track and Field events at Beall High School before having to drop out after 10th grade to get a job to help support the family. Catherine had many jobs throughout her life but during WWII she was shipped to Goodyear in Akron, Ohio to serve as a “Rosie the Riveter” as a machinist making Aircraft Parts. Later she worked as a Waitress at the White Coffee Pot in LaVale Plaza and ended her Career as a House Keeper at Frostburg State University. There wasn’t anything that Catherine couldn’t accomplish, she even used a Chainsaw to cut Firewood in her mid-80’s! She loved Art and did many ceramic items and Oil Paintings after her retirement. She was an avid Hunter most of her life and loved being at her Cabin on Piney Mountain during Hunting Seasons sharing stories of the past and cooking for the other Hunters. She was known for her Letters to the Editor of the CTN’s regarding Hunting Issues. Indeed, the World has lost the Toughest Woman of all times!!

Catherine was cremated in accordance with her wishes.

Family and friends will be received at Durst Funeral Home, 57 Frost Ave., Frostburg, MD on Wednesday, December 7, 2016, from 4 pm to 6:30pm.

A memorial service will be held at the funeral home on Wednesday following the viewing at 6:30 pm, with Rev. George Harpold officiating.